To expect dog walkers to keep their giant dogs on leash around other peiple

[Thewithesarehere]

I am still quite sick after seeing a dog, nearly my DC’s size, running after my DC knocking them to the ground and running over them.
DC is covered in mud. I was taking a picture of them running to me and it happened in a flash. I shouted at the dog owner who something like put your own children on leash.
Why the hell people don’t keep such huge dogs and then let them off leash in a public park around children? DV is covered in mud, shivering and complaining that their leg hurts where it hit a rock and that they are scared of dogs. I wish I had done more but don’t know what else I could have done.
AIBU in feeling bloody furious?

@me2again

If you have photos report to council. I have, although have far fewer details. But I want them to know and I will follow up with elected reps. Am sick of having to deal with dogs growling at me and running in my path when out I'm jogging etc. The line between in control and leashed is very grey and how does anyone around the dog know. I shall be politely telling people to get their dog away from me - esp when I get back to running. 8 weeks I'm in a plaster cast - can't drive can't work... it's already cost me at least 50 quid + nhs costs. Crazy.

That sounds like a good idea. I have a very clear shot of the dog and my DCs one second before they were knocked down.

I do find it quite incredible that culturally we accept having people's fetishistic anthropomorphic live toys running around freely regardless of the harm they cause.

All of this talk about "not all owners are like this" misses the point. You don't know who is and there's no nuanced way of controlling it so just make them keep their fur tropies on leads at all times.

I'm fed up with 'don't have your dogs off lead'. The issue isn't the size of the dog, or being off lead. The issue is the owner was an arse.

This. People should have a common sense test before being allowed to own an animal. What a prick. Doesn't matter how big they are, if you can't trust them, keep them on a long line.

I've got two medium to large dogs. One I have no idea where her lead is because I don't use it and the other has 2 leads, a long line and a grab loop because he is very strong and I just cannot fucking trust him. He's friendly as anything but he thinks everyone loves him and wants to play and has no sense of his own size. Just throws himself at you.

Been in training for years with loads of different trainers but its like the doggy version of a developmental delay. No sense of danger, no impulse control, does not retain his training when excited. Wouldn't hurt anyone ever. Just bouncy and loves people and thinks he is a puppy. He hasn't been loose in years because I'm not a idiot.

I've agonised over whether to rehome him as I only just barely overpower him. At the moment we're fine. I walk him on a halti with an extra lead attached to his normal collar and wearing a harness with a grab loop in case both plan A and B fail. If a day comes when I can't physically restrain him anymore then I wouldnt keep him. It's irresponsible to own a dog you can't control.

I'll write what I always write... We have to pass a test in order to get a licence to drive a motor car. I think anyone who wants to keep a dog should have to do the same. As a professional dog carer I'm appalled by the levels of ignorance and arrogance that some owners show. Feeding dogs rubbish or even poisonous foods. Failing to keep vaccinations up. Failing to teach even basic control commands. Thinking their dog's behaviour is 'cute' when in fact it's actually a sign of stress. Not clearing up poo. Clearing up poo but then leaving the bags dangling off branches. Not bothering to learn the laws about dogs.

OP, if you have footage or a clear photo of the event it might be worth talking to the local dog warden.

All dogs should be on lead if they run up to people or other dogs and dont recall. Big or small all dogs should be under control. It really pisses me off that little dogs are allowed to run riot.

I got knocked over by a large Labrador when I was heavily pregnant. I’m not tall and it just barrelled into me, I had PGP so joints really lax, it was very painful. My kids have been knocked over and bitten too. One husky had his whole mouth over his foot and ankle. Horrific to see.

lots of xposts!

@Honeyroar

I agree. I have dogs. They love children and would probably run after a running child wanting to play. I always grab them and put them on the lead when I see people- whether they’ve got dogs or kids. They’re not bad dogs, and mostly come back when called, but they do get excited to see people (especially my little dog) and nobody wants muddy feet on them.

My DCs were not scared of dogs before. We always stop and say hello and, with the permission of dog owner, have touched their dogs too. But for every few nice don walkers, you always find someone who is so precious about their dog, they would prefer my children were on leash instead. I have sat down to think hard and this the fourth incidence for me and third for my DCs. I should definitely write to the council. At least it will be a record and might help in some way. And to al the unreasonable dog owners: please don’t take the responsibility of an animal if you can’t control them. It takes seconds and you can’t get to your dog in time no matter what you claim.

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

I got knocked over by a large Labrador when I was heavily pregnant. I’m not tall and it just barrelled into me, I had PGP so joints really lax, it was very painful. My kids have been knocked over and bitten too. One husky had his whole mouth over his foot and ankle. Horrific to see.

That is horrific! What did you do? I would have seen red.

I’d report it. I’m sick of not being able to enjoy outdoors without some people smiling and laughing as their poorly controlled pet mauls my family.

The owner sounds like an arsehole for shouting back at you rather than apologising. It would serve him right if he was reported.

OP, if you have footage or a clear photo of the event it might be worth talking to the local dog warden.
I do and I will now. Thank you for this. I simply didn’t know what to in the moment other than shouting at the owner, which probably scared DCs even more.

Thewithesarehere

That one was on a beach and the dog just ran back to his owners who were very far away when I ran up to my DS. I have never had an owner apologise for their dogs behaviour though, they all seem to think it’s okay to let them jump up.

Something similar happened to me when I was a child I was knocked over by a bloodhound who then proceeded to clobber all over me. I'm not scared of dogs but I'm not happy if I pass one not on a lead.

I think Dog Warden would be interested in pictures. Close to us an off lead dog ran into a kid in a skate park and put them in hospital.
Dogs don’t always have to be on leads. But they DO always have to be under control. Hope your DC is ok.

I had one recently where a dog jumped all over me. He was very cute and friendly, I wasn't scared but I did end up covered in mud. How is that acceptable? The owner did shout at him but he was never going to do as they said.

My nervous rescue dog stays on the lead in public all the time because I cannot guarantee her recall. The out of control dogs run up to her and freak her out as well. These people are problems for dog owners too! Sorry about your DC, hope they recover quickly.

@CardoMondo

So it was a Labrador?

Not that it matters but giant dogs are stuff like Irish Wolfhounds, St Bernards, Mastiffs etc

You're right.

In this instance it doesn't matter.

OP, as you have pictures, is there any point in reporting? To the dog warden at least.

My DD, 3, was nearly bowled over by a spaniel puppy, who bit (gummed?) her coat sleeve and got the hat off her head and ran off with it. The owner was embarrassed but not really apologetic, even though it took a minute or so to persuade the puppy to drop DD’s hat. The gist of the owner’s response was “oh, doesn’t she like dogs?”, whilst DD did her best not to cry and hid in my coat.
The puppy was on a training lead but it was so long it was of no use at all. I was so surprised I didn’t really know how to respond, but resented the implication that it was DD’s fault for not finding it hilarious and that it was all ok because it was ‘just a puppy’.
It’s not ok, DD was very upset! The size of the dog is relative to the size of the person being bothered!

Nuisance dogs are becoming more and more of an issue🤬

I'm sorry this happened to you and your DC. It is a shock and seems to happen too often. Do consider reporting to the police too. When my DD was knocked down the owner was not apologetic either, even though my DD had a facial injury. The police did take it very seriously. The dog warden unfortunately was more than useless.

If you have footage or a clear photo of the event
I think this may be the best way forward 🤔 any incident involving nuisance dogs is filmed and the footage submitted to the authorities?

It's nothing to do with the size of the dog and everything to do with the owner. Ime owners of large dogs have them under much better control than owners of small dogs because obviously the repercussions could be worse. I've lost count of the number of small dogs that have jumped up at me and never had a large dog do the same.

Please target your anger at the owner, not the dog.

please target your anger at the owner not the dog
I agree that we should target our anger at the owners of nuisance dogs
The problem is that the owners of nuisance dogs are, by definition, arrogant selfish people who don't care if their dog is a nuisance, becoming angry with them does not end well 😖

Oh no, that sounds rather terrible. Poor child.

Could you take your child to a breeder or shelter (or a friend who owns dogs)? Just to prevent DC being permanently afraid or developing some sort of phobia....